The Penguins got on the scoreboard in a big way last night, jumping to leads of 2-0 and 3-1 before holding onto a 3-2 victory in game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Probably because he was laughing too hard at Sidney Crosby's attempt at a playoff beard, Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood was unable to stop the Penguins' captain's first two shots, and the underdogs from Pittsburgh held on for the rest of the game. Looking remarkably like their counterparts from Detroit, the Pens kept possession of the puck for most of the end of the third period, preventing the Red Wings from mounting a serious attack with their goalie pulled in the final minutes.
On a different note, Wings leading scorer Johan Franzen is amazing. He's roughly the size of a tractor trailer yet he's able to dance through opposing defenses like a young Peter Forsberg. What is it with giant Swedes being able to move like that? If I wasn't already taken by a dashing baseball player, I might be tempted to develop another man crush. Tune in Saturday night for the exciting game 4 on, oh fuck it, you're not going to watch anyway you football swilling assholes!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Mets come from behind!
For the first time all year, the Mets won a game when trailing after 8 innings. The unlikeliest of heroes, Endy Chavez hit his first home run since tearing his hamstring early LAST season to tie the game leading off the bottom of the 9th. Then after falling behind in the top of the 12th, David Wright led off the bottom of the frame with a walk. Carlos Beltran followed with a single to move Wright to third, then after Damion Easley struck out Fernando Tatis ended the game with a two run double. It was the first career game-winning hit for Tatis who sat out the entire 2004 and 2005 seasons contemplating retirement.
Jose Reyes went 2 for 5 with a walk to extend his hitting streak to 13 games, reaching base for the 28th straight game. Carlos Beltran went 2 for 6, reaching base for the 31st straight game. Both players are instrumental to the Mets offensive success so it's nice to see them settling into the season.
The most encouraging sign from last night's game, lost a little bit in the excitement of the Mets actually coming from behind to win a game was Aaron Heilman's 2 innings of hitless relief. As recently as last season, Heilman was an integral part of the bullpen, slamming the door shut in the 8th inning to set up Billy Wagner in the 9th. This season he seems to be giving up a home run every game and has been key in the Mets inability to come from behind. It is just disheartening to watch a 1 run deficit balloon to 3 or more because your supposedly steady middle-relievers take such pleasure in watching a small white ball disappear into the night sky far beyond the outfield fence.
Jose Reyes went 2 for 5 with a walk to extend his hitting streak to 13 games, reaching base for the 28th straight game. Carlos Beltran went 2 for 6, reaching base for the 31st straight game. Both players are instrumental to the Mets offensive success so it's nice to see them settling into the season.
The most encouraging sign from last night's game, lost a little bit in the excitement of the Mets actually coming from behind to win a game was Aaron Heilman's 2 innings of hitless relief. As recently as last season, Heilman was an integral part of the bullpen, slamming the door shut in the 8th inning to set up Billy Wagner in the 9th. This season he seems to be giving up a home run every game and has been key in the Mets inability to come from behind. It is just disheartening to watch a 1 run deficit balloon to 3 or more because your supposedly steady middle-relievers take such pleasure in watching a small white ball disappear into the night sky far beyond the outfield fence.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
METS WIN!!!
With a dearth of genuine victories thus far, it seems prudent to really highlight the honest to goodness winning ballgames. No, seriously. The Mets scored more than the other team over the course of the appropriate 9 inning span. Billy Wagner got to throw blazing fastballs to opposing hitters in a save situation instead of bitter one-liners to bored beat reporters.
Johan Santana, signed in the offseason in part to prevent long losing streaks pitched 7 effective innings for the Mets. Santana to (Duaner) Sanchez to Wagner. I could stand to see that a few more times this season. Embattled (?) shortstop Jose Reyes extended his hitting streak to 9 straight games, much to the disappointment of Mets fans everywhere expecting him to hit in at least 11 or 12 of his last 9 games. Embattled (?) centerfielder Carlos Beltran reached base for the 30th consecutive start, but hit less than 4 grand slams earning derisive boos from the crowd.
Looking to the positives, subs Damion Easley, Ramon Castro, and Fernando Tatis combined for 5 hits and all 5 RBIs for the Mets. In addition, Pedro is scheduled to make his second start of the season June 3rd! All hail the savior! Pedro will make it all right, I KNOW he will. Rocks back and forth. All kidding aside, it'll be nice to have Pedro's voice in the locker, deflecting some attention away from the players who are less comfortable in front of the camera. Throwing his fastball in the mid to upper 80s and his changeup in the mid to upper 70s will help a lot too.
Johan Santana, signed in the offseason in part to prevent long losing streaks pitched 7 effective innings for the Mets. Santana to (Duaner) Sanchez to Wagner. I could stand to see that a few more times this season. Embattled (?) shortstop Jose Reyes extended his hitting streak to 9 straight games, much to the disappointment of Mets fans everywhere expecting him to hit in at least 11 or 12 of his last 9 games. Embattled (?) centerfielder Carlos Beltran reached base for the 30th consecutive start, but hit less than 4 grand slams earning derisive boos from the crowd.
Looking to the positives, subs Damion Easley, Ramon Castro, and Fernando Tatis combined for 5 hits and all 5 RBIs for the Mets. In addition, Pedro is scheduled to make his second start of the season June 3rd! All hail the savior! Pedro will make it all right, I KNOW he will. Rocks back and forth. All kidding aside, it'll be nice to have Pedro's voice in the locker, deflecting some attention away from the players who are less comfortable in front of the camera. Throwing his fastball in the mid to upper 80s and his changeup in the mid to upper 70s will help a lot too.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Championship updates
The Celtics won then lost at home, and won then lost on the road. Based on my expert analytical skills, I predict this series to go at least 6 games. The Lakers and Spurs split in LA, then the Spurs took game 3 at home. A bunch of people who know a lot more about basketball than I do still feel the Lakers to be the better team in this series, and likely to emerge victorious. Then the discussion turned to whether or not this year's championship will mark the start of another dynastic run by the Lakers. Given that they've won exactly nothing so far, I'd have to go with a resounding yes!
In more important news, the Detroit Red Wings have taken a commanding 2 games to none lead in the Stanley Cup finals. Now winning the first two games at home is hardly cause for the engraver to start worrying about the correct spelling of Datsyuk, but the manner of the victories has NHL executives everywhere groaning at the prospect of Sidney Crosby NOT winning the ultimate prize. The Penguins have failed to record a single goal thus far in the Finals, and have looked pretty meek in doing so. It turns out that thus far in the playoffs, Detroit's best offensive line of Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, and Tomas Holmstrom has been their best defensive line, which is just fucking unfair. Given the ability to match lines, an advantage of the home team, coach Mike Babcock has been able to get his best defensive line out against Pittsburgh's top offensive line, while at the same time get his best offensive line out against Pittsburgh's weakest defensive players.
Heading back to Pittsburgh, look for the Penguins to try to match their Staal line against Detroit's Datsyuk line, freeing Sidney Crosby from the defensive duties he hasn't been performing anyway. Also look for Evgeni Malkin to show up, which would be nice considering as far as I can tell, Pittsburgh's best player this season forget to get on the fucking plane to Detroit.
All kidding aside, it is time to appreciate just how good this Red Wings team really is. With their ability to stifle opposing teams, even a one goal lead early in the first period is nearly insurmountable. Chris Osgood has been very good in net for the Wings, but by no means spectacular. In a way, it reminds me of Grant Fuhr, one of the winningest goalies of all time but far from one of the best. He just had the advantage of having Gretzky, Messier, and the rest of the 1980s Edmonton Oilers pumping 6+ goals a game by the opposing goaltender. Osgood went nearly 8 minutes in last night's game before he faced his first shot. It takes an incredible amount of focus to be ready at that point, especially since you know, I know, and Osgood definitely knows that woman in the 3rd row wasn't wearing any underwear. So tune in tomorrow night in spectacular HD (even on Charter!) to see if the Penguins get it rolling at home, or the ruthless winning machine in Detroit marches on to their seemingly inevitable championship.
In more important news, the Detroit Red Wings have taken a commanding 2 games to none lead in the Stanley Cup finals. Now winning the first two games at home is hardly cause for the engraver to start worrying about the correct spelling of Datsyuk, but the manner of the victories has NHL executives everywhere groaning at the prospect of Sidney Crosby NOT winning the ultimate prize. The Penguins have failed to record a single goal thus far in the Finals, and have looked pretty meek in doing so. It turns out that thus far in the playoffs, Detroit's best offensive line of Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, and Tomas Holmstrom has been their best defensive line, which is just fucking unfair. Given the ability to match lines, an advantage of the home team, coach Mike Babcock has been able to get his best defensive line out against Pittsburgh's top offensive line, while at the same time get his best offensive line out against Pittsburgh's weakest defensive players.
Heading back to Pittsburgh, look for the Penguins to try to match their Staal line against Detroit's Datsyuk line, freeing Sidney Crosby from the defensive duties he hasn't been performing anyway. Also look for Evgeni Malkin to show up, which would be nice considering as far as I can tell, Pittsburgh's best player this season forget to get on the fucking plane to Detroit.
All kidding aside, it is time to appreciate just how good this Red Wings team really is. With their ability to stifle opposing teams, even a one goal lead early in the first period is nearly insurmountable. Chris Osgood has been very good in net for the Wings, but by no means spectacular. In a way, it reminds me of Grant Fuhr, one of the winningest goalies of all time but far from one of the best. He just had the advantage of having Gretzky, Messier, and the rest of the 1980s Edmonton Oilers pumping 6+ goals a game by the opposing goaltender. Osgood went nearly 8 minutes in last night's game before he faced his first shot. It takes an incredible amount of focus to be ready at that point, especially since you know, I know, and Osgood definitely knows that woman in the 3rd row wasn't wearing any underwear. So tune in tomorrow night in spectacular HD (even on Charter!) to see if the Penguins get it rolling at home, or the ruthless winning machine in Detroit marches on to their seemingly inevitable championship.
On losing streaks and fan expectations
I keep waiting for positive things to happen to this Mets team, and they keep not happening. It's hard to be witty and humorous about a business-like team that is very serious about the business of losing. It's not like they're TRYING to lose, but it doesn't look like they're trying all that hard to win, either. So starting today, I'm introducing a new feature to this blog. I'll call it "Hey, that's positive!"
Jose Reyes hit 2 home runs last night in a losing effort to the first place Marlins. Hey, that's positive! I didn't see any of the game, or read any of the recaps but I have to believe that Reyes hitting home runs in his first two at bats helped the team a lot more than a locust infestation. Good for you Mr. Reyes. May you hit 2 home runs EVERY game!
Jose Reyes hit 2 home runs last night in a losing effort to the first place Marlins. Hey, that's positive! I didn't see any of the game, or read any of the recaps but I have to believe that Reyes hitting home runs in his first two at bats helped the team a lot more than a locust infestation. Good for you Mr. Reyes. May you hit 2 home runs EVERY game!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Mike Piazza retires
Mike Piazza officially announced his retirement today, ending the career of the greatest hitting catcher in history. Never a great defensive player, for almost a decade Piazza was one of the very most feared hitters in the game. The numbers he put up in 1997 with the Dodgers were almost cartoonish for a catcher.
As a Mets fan, I'll obviously always remember his time in New York most fondly. While never able to deliver a championship, he was the centerpiece of a team that went from a laughing stock for most of the 90s to the NLCS in 99 and the World Series in 2000. Following the September 11th attacks, the Mets played in the first sporting event in New York on September 21st. Piazza stepped up to the moment hitting a mammoth home run in the bottom of the 8th against the rival Braves to give the Mets a come from behind victory.
Tonight I'll tip a beer back for Mr. Piazza the man who may well be the greatest offensive player to ever don the Mets orange, blue, white, and black and Jebus this team has a lot of uniforms.
As a Mets fan, I'll obviously always remember his time in New York most fondly. While never able to deliver a championship, he was the centerpiece of a team that went from a laughing stock for most of the 90s to the NLCS in 99 and the World Series in 2000. Following the September 11th attacks, the Mets played in the first sporting event in New York on September 21st. Piazza stepped up to the moment hitting a mammoth home run in the bottom of the 8th against the rival Braves to give the Mets a come from behind victory.
Tonight I'll tip a beer back for Mr. Piazza the man who may well be the greatest offensive player to ever don the Mets orange, blue, white, and black and Jebus this team has a lot of uniforms.
In Progress: Mets v Braves
In the interest of pretending to work today, I will not be keeping a running diary of this afternoon's matchup between the Braves and the Mets, but will instead provide periodic updates. Luis Castillo hit a home run in the first inning, which may or may not be a sign of the impending apocalypse. Just to be safe, if you see any frogs falling from the sky or all of a sudden the first born sons start to keel over for no reason, you may want to stock up on milk and eggs.
Following the home run, the Mets loaded the bases with one out before Alou lined out and Delgado flied out to end the inning. Tom Glavine has been in complete control ever since, meaning one of the major contributors to the Mets collapse is either a total cock or just needed to face the Mets offense more often last season to pad his stats. John Maine is not pitching nearly as well, and after a sacrifice fly just this second it is now 3-1 Braves. Fuck.
Following the home run, the Mets loaded the bases with one out before Alou lined out and Delgado flied out to end the inning. Tom Glavine has been in complete control ever since, meaning one of the major contributors to the Mets collapse is either a total cock or just needed to face the Mets offense more often last season to pad his stats. John Maine is not pitching nearly as well, and after a sacrifice fly just this second it is now 3-1 Braves. Fuck.
Jon Lester: "Cancer is my bitch."
The Friendly United Cancer Killers proudly inducted Red Sox lefty Jon Lester last night into their ranks, joining a motley group including Mario Lemieux, John Kruk, and Heather. Lester spun a masterful no hitter against the Kansas City Royals, a lineup filled with other team's castoffs and young players not quite ready to sign with a real major league club. Jacoby Ellsbury made a spectacular diving catch to end the 4th inning behind Lester to preserve the no hitter, and no one else really got close to a hit.
It was the first no hitter since Clay Buchholz threw one as a rookie for the Red Sox last year. That makes the Red Sox the first team to have baseball's last two no hitters since Nolan Ryan did it all by himself for the California Don't Call Me Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim back in the mid 70s. Catcher Jason Varitek was behind the plate for both no hitters, as well as Derek Lowe's no hit game in 2002 and Hideo Nomo's second no hitter in 2001. No catcher has ever been behind the plate for 4 no hitters before, although I'm pretty sure that's just a coincidence. I mean in my mind, a pitching staff of Nomo, Lowe, Lester, and Buchholz should win the World Series every year, even if you have the 2008 Kansas City Royals playing behind them!
It was the first no hitter since Clay Buchholz threw one as a rookie for the Red Sox last year. That makes the Red Sox the first team to have baseball's last two no hitters since Nolan Ryan did it all by himself for the California Don't Call Me Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim back in the mid 70s. Catcher Jason Varitek was behind the plate for both no hitters, as well as Derek Lowe's no hit game in 2002 and Hideo Nomo's second no hitter in 2001. No catcher has ever been behind the plate for 4 no hitters before, although I'm pretty sure that's just a coincidence. I mean in my mind, a pitching staff of Nomo, Lowe, Lester, and Buchholz should win the World Series every year, even if you have the 2008 Kansas City Royals playing behind them!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Interleague play, round 1
There has been much written over the years about how the AL is much better than the NL. This is mostly due to the fact that the AL is much better than the NL. Evidence is provided in the form of the AL teams stomping the NL teams annually in interleague play. After the first weekend of play the AL is still better...but it's closer. The AL took the overall record 22-19, helped greatly by the fact that the San Fransisco Giants are for some reason still considered an actual Major League baseball team. Take that sweep out of it and the NL earned a split with their AL rivals.
In more important news, the Mets swept a rain-shortened series from the Yankees at Yankee Stadium. After rain wiped away the first game on Friday, the Mets stomped the short-handed Bronx Bombers 7-4 and 11-2. In the finale on Sunday night, the Mets scored 7 runs on Yankee ace Chien Ming Wang despite having a 3-run home run erroneously called foul. Is it REALLY that hard to have the umpires look at instant replay to judge fair or foul, home run or double? It's 2008 people! We're not asking for a review of every pitch, just calls like this. Oh well.
In other news, the Penguins eliminated the Flyers in game 5 to advance to their first Stanley Cup playoffs since 1992. The Dallas Stars refuse to go away, winning the last 2 to force a game 6 in Dallas against the Detroit Red Wings, who had held a 3 games to none lead in the series. The Celtics won a tense game 7 against the Cleveland LeBrons to advance to the Eastern Conference finals against Detroit. The Celtics seem determined to prove that you can in fact win an NBA championship without winning a single game on the road, the reward for the best record of the regular season. Of course, they earned that distinction by having such a gaudy record on the road during the regular season, but now that their series with Detroit is officially tied 0-0 I guess it doesn't matter.
Finally Big Brown took another step towards the elusive Triple Crown in horse racing with a dominating win at the Preakness. You could see jockey Kent Desormeaux physically restraining Big Brown for most of the race before letting him lengthen his stride around the final turn. After taking a couple of peeks behind himself to verify no one was close, Desormeaux eased up on the throttle as Big Brown cruised to a 5 1/4 length victory. Big Brown races for the first Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978 on June 7 at the Belmont Stakes, the longest of the three races at 1 1/2 miles.
In more important news, the Mets swept a rain-shortened series from the Yankees at Yankee Stadium. After rain wiped away the first game on Friday, the Mets stomped the short-handed Bronx Bombers 7-4 and 11-2. In the finale on Sunday night, the Mets scored 7 runs on Yankee ace Chien Ming Wang despite having a 3-run home run erroneously called foul. Is it REALLY that hard to have the umpires look at instant replay to judge fair or foul, home run or double? It's 2008 people! We're not asking for a review of every pitch, just calls like this. Oh well.
In other news, the Penguins eliminated the Flyers in game 5 to advance to their first Stanley Cup playoffs since 1992. The Dallas Stars refuse to go away, winning the last 2 to force a game 6 in Dallas against the Detroit Red Wings, who had held a 3 games to none lead in the series. The Celtics won a tense game 7 against the Cleveland LeBrons to advance to the Eastern Conference finals against Detroit. The Celtics seem determined to prove that you can in fact win an NBA championship without winning a single game on the road, the reward for the best record of the regular season. Of course, they earned that distinction by having such a gaudy record on the road during the regular season, but now that their series with Detroit is officially tied 0-0 I guess it doesn't matter.
Finally Big Brown took another step towards the elusive Triple Crown in horse racing with a dominating win at the Preakness. You could see jockey Kent Desormeaux physically restraining Big Brown for most of the race before letting him lengthen his stride around the final turn. After taking a couple of peeks behind himself to verify no one was close, Desormeaux eased up on the throttle as Big Brown cruised to a 5 1/4 length victory. Big Brown races for the first Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978 on June 7 at the Belmont Stakes, the longest of the three races at 1 1/2 miles.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Hey, everyone but Aaron Heilman pitched really well last night!
Unfortunately, Aaron Heilman also pitched, yielding the hits and runs that ultimately led to the Mets 5-3 defeat at the hands of the lowly Washington Nationals. But I say let us not sling shit in the direction of Mr Heilman! Let's be positive, and fling shit in the direction of the bats! No offense to Tim Redding, but any halfway decent division III college baseball team should be able to muster more than one run against the Nationals starter. Ok, maybe that's a little offensive to Tim Redding. That being said, Redding is bad, the bullpen is worse, and the Mets could only score thrice including a home run from light-hitting catcher Brian Schneider. It turns out that one of the pivotal moments in the game game in the bottom of the fifth inning when Moises Alou was ejected after a called third strike for apparently using a naughty word. Alou's spot in the order game up in the bottom of the eighth inning with the tying runs on base but unfortunately for the Mets, defensive wizard Endy Chavez was batting instead of Alou. Regardless, Heilman gave up a couple of seeing-eye singles and a hard shot from Christian Guzman while Willie watched stoically from the dugout. The four runs (the first was charged to spot starter Claudio Vargas) provided all the offense the Nationals would need to overcome the Mets anemic bats.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
I only post when John Maine pitches
Or maybe it just seems that way. Maine had another solid outing last night. Good for him. The Mets left a shit-ton of runners on base. This has been an on-going theme all season. Stringing together big hit after big hit is something the team did so consistently back in 2006, and definitely struggled with in the end of 2007. In my mind, it all comes back to Carlos Delgado no longer being the force he once was in the middle of the lineup. I hoped the return of Moises Alou would speed things along but right now key guys are battling and the Mets are constantly letting pitchers in tough spots off the hook. I've said it before and I'll say it again, right now the Mets are missing that certain something that championship teams have.
Delgado dropped down a bunt single against the shift (where the opposing team plays 3 infielders to the first base side of the second base bag). It was nice to see. Of course, the reason more pull-heavy power hitters don't bunt for hits against the shift is that they're not getting paid for bunt singles. They're getting paid for extra base hits and RBI, which you won't often get off of a bunt. Unless Delgado can start consistently driving the ball again, it looks like the Mets will be running a lineup out there with a slap-hitting second baseman in Luis Castillo, a light-hitting catcher in Brian Schneider, and an oft-injured left fielder in Moises Alou. That puts a ton of pressure on Jose Reyes to consistently get on base, and David Wright and Carlos Beltran to never miss their RBI opportunities. This, my friends, is not a recipe for success.
Delgado dropped down a bunt single against the shift (where the opposing team plays 3 infielders to the first base side of the second base bag). It was nice to see. Of course, the reason more pull-heavy power hitters don't bunt for hits against the shift is that they're not getting paid for bunt singles. They're getting paid for extra base hits and RBI, which you won't often get off of a bunt. Unless Delgado can start consistently driving the ball again, it looks like the Mets will be running a lineup out there with a slap-hitting second baseman in Luis Castillo, a light-hitting catcher in Brian Schneider, and an oft-injured left fielder in Moises Alou. That puts a ton of pressure on Jose Reyes to consistently get on base, and David Wright and Carlos Beltran to never miss their RBI opportunities. This, my friends, is not a recipe for success.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
On cycles and shutouts
Before yesterday afternoon, no Mets pitcher had worked 7 full innings in a game. Before yesterday afternoon the LA Dodgers had won 10 of their last 11 games. John Maine came within 2 outs of a complete game shutout yesterday afternoon, throwing a hardy middle finger in the face of both streaks. John Maine also had sex with your sister and you loved it because it was Johnny Fucking Maine!
Also last night, Carlos Gomez hit for the cycle. That would be a single, double, triple, and home run in the same game. Actually, he hit for the reverse cycle, hitting in order a home run, a triple, a double, and a single. Gomez was an exciting, young centerfield prospect for the Mets last year who was traded in the offseason. Normally I'd be crushed when the Mets trade that kind of talent, but in this case it netted Johan Santana who also fucked your sister. Actually, it turns out she's kind of a whore. Anyway, good for Gomez who is still learning to be a Major League hitter, but looks to be an exciting piece of the outfield for the Twins for years to come.
Also last night, Carlos Gomez hit for the cycle. That would be a single, double, triple, and home run in the same game. Actually, he hit for the reverse cycle, hitting in order a home run, a triple, a double, and a single. Gomez was an exciting, young centerfield prospect for the Mets last year who was traded in the offseason. Normally I'd be crushed when the Mets trade that kind of talent, but in this case it netted Johan Santana who also fucked your sister. Actually, it turns out she's kind of a whore. Anyway, good for Gomez who is still learning to be a Major League hitter, but looks to be an exciting piece of the outfield for the Twins for years to come.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
ESPN to hire Don Cherry
Apparently ESPN has brough Don Cherry on board to help with the coverage of the NHL Playoffs. Don Cherry has been working for CBC's Hockey night in Canada for nearly 3 decades. This begs the interesting question, does this mean ESPN is planning on starting to cover the NHL Playoffs? It's about time, it's only the conference fucking finals!
Anniversary
Last night the Mets blew a 4-1 lead in losing to the Dodgers. What can I say? The team is not hitting in timely spots and is not pitching well outside of Johan Santana. I guess it was nice to see the bullpen keep it close to give the offense a chance to wake up? First time that's happened in a while.
Anyway 25 years ago yesterday, Darryl Strawberry made his debut for the Mets. Strawberry's was a career remembered more for his missteps off the field than his occasionally brilliant play on it. That being said, I choose to remember the greatest home run I ever recall seeing hit. On April 4, 1988 the Mets opened the season at Olympic Stadium in Montreal. Facing Randy St Claire in the top of the 7th, Straw hit a majestic shot to right field. It kept going. And going. And going. It suddenly plummeted straight down well beyond the right field wall, having hit the lights lining the roof of Olympic Stadium in right field. A physicist with nearly as much time on his hands as I have estimated the ball would have traveled 525 had it not, you know, HIT THE ROOF! To read more about Strawberry's power, check out this NY Times article from 1988. Personally, I think the biggest regret of Strawberry's career is not just that he blew most of his talent through his nose, it's that he missed the steroids era. I feel like a 'roid-fueled Darryl might have been able to jack a home run over the scoreboard in right center field at Shea Stadium. That can't me much more than a 700 foot bomb...
Anyway 25 years ago yesterday, Darryl Strawberry made his debut for the Mets. Strawberry's was a career remembered more for his missteps off the field than his occasionally brilliant play on it. That being said, I choose to remember the greatest home run I ever recall seeing hit. On April 4, 1988 the Mets opened the season at Olympic Stadium in Montreal. Facing Randy St Claire in the top of the 7th, Straw hit a majestic shot to right field. It kept going. And going. And going. It suddenly plummeted straight down well beyond the right field wall, having hit the lights lining the roof of Olympic Stadium in right field. A physicist with nearly as much time on his hands as I have estimated the ball would have traveled 525 had it not, you know, HIT THE ROOF! To read more about Strawberry's power, check out this NY Times article from 1988. Personally, I think the biggest regret of Strawberry's career is not just that he blew most of his talent through his nose, it's that he missed the steroids era. I feel like a 'roid-fueled Darryl might have been able to jack a home run over the scoreboard in right center field at Shea Stadium. That can't me much more than a 700 foot bomb...
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
How worried am I?
Here we are in the first week of May, when it stops being "early" in the baseball season. For the first time all season, the Mets are running the same lineup out there that they plan on using in September and if everything goes splendidly, October. It seems likely that at least in the short term Ryan Church will be the #2 hitter and Luis Castillo will be the #8 hitter. Delgado seems more comfortable in the #6 hole, which is fine as long as Moises Alou is healthy and batting 5th. This team will likely score some runs and be fine, assuming Alou can remain healthy.
The pitching is of great concern to me. Willie Randolph has suggested it is still early in the season for his pitchers, but after Santana who has been great and Maine who has been good there are a LOT of question marks. Mike Pelfrey and Oliver Perez have been shaky at best, and at times downright disastrous. Emergency starter Nelson Figueroa has been fantastic, especially the first two times through the lineup, but he does not seem like a legitimate solution in the long term for a contending team. Perez has the potential to be a staff ace on nearly any pitching staff in the game, but seems unwilling or unable to shake off bad calls and bad plays behind him in the field.
A pitcher like Johan Santana will bear down after a questionable ball four or an error behind him in the field. Perez just checks out and stops competing. I was asked by a friend last night if I would take Daisuke Matsuzaka on my team and I said heck no not ever. Of course, I was probably jaded by his unwatchable 8 (!) walk performance last night but the fact remains the Mets have enough talented, enigmatic pitchers who are afraid to throw strikes. Pitchers who can force a hitter to swing and miss are pitchers who win in September and October, and the Mets seem to be sorely lacking those in their starting rotation now.
Is it too early to panic? Absolutely. If for no other reason than there are no viable pitching alternatives on the market and the farm system is a little barren after trading for Santana. That being said, the team's long-term success this season seems to hinge greatly on Pedro's ability to come back from injury for the umpteenth time in his career unless Ollie can put it all together, bear down, and become that quality pitcher we all know he has inside himself.
The pitching is of great concern to me. Willie Randolph has suggested it is still early in the season for his pitchers, but after Santana who has been great and Maine who has been good there are a LOT of question marks. Mike Pelfrey and Oliver Perez have been shaky at best, and at times downright disastrous. Emergency starter Nelson Figueroa has been fantastic, especially the first two times through the lineup, but he does not seem like a legitimate solution in the long term for a contending team. Perez has the potential to be a staff ace on nearly any pitching staff in the game, but seems unwilling or unable to shake off bad calls and bad plays behind him in the field.
A pitcher like Johan Santana will bear down after a questionable ball four or an error behind him in the field. Perez just checks out and stops competing. I was asked by a friend last night if I would take Daisuke Matsuzaka on my team and I said heck no not ever. Of course, I was probably jaded by his unwatchable 8 (!) walk performance last night but the fact remains the Mets have enough talented, enigmatic pitchers who are afraid to throw strikes. Pitchers who can force a hitter to swing and miss are pitchers who win in September and October, and the Mets seem to be sorely lacking those in their starting rotation now.
Is it too early to panic? Absolutely. If for no other reason than there are no viable pitching alternatives on the market and the farm system is a little barren after trading for Santana. That being said, the team's long-term success this season seems to hinge greatly on Pedro's ability to come back from injury for the umpteenth time in his career unless Ollie can put it all together, bear down, and become that quality pitcher we all know he has inside himself.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Weekend wrap up since I'm too lazy to do a real post
The Metsies took two of three from Arizona this weekend in Phoenix, facing the Diamondback's top three starters in the process. All in all it was a solid series from the boys, although once again the bullpen managed to put a 1 run game out of reach on Saturday. The offense looked livelier than it had in weeks, possibly due to the returns of Moises Alou and Brian Schneider. Look for the Mets to get on a roll for at least a week or two until Alou goes down and is out until August. Fun factoid of the day: Jorge Sosa earned his fourth victory in relief last night, giving him one more total win than Johan Santana.
The final four teams are set in hockey. Pittsburgh took down the Rangers in game 5 setting up an all Pennsylvania Eastern Conference finals. Root like hell for the Penguins just for watchability's sake. The Flyers play a thuggish, boring style of hockey that slows the games down and generally succeeds in the playoffs. We need to break from the mold!
The Dallas Stars finally eliminated the San Jose Sharks last night in the 4th overtime, a game that ended well after 2 AM Eastern time. Needless to say I did not stay up to watch the end of it. Sadly, neither did Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabakov who had to be woken up after allowing the series-ended goal. Four of the six games went into overtime, and a fifth was also decided by one goal. Up next are the mighty Detroit Red Wings.
On a personal note, my three least favorite teams in the NHL are the Red Wings, the Stars, and the Flyers. It goes without saying that I'll be rooting for the Penguins here on out, but out west I would like to see Detroit prevail, not because they're a better matchup for "my" team but because, dammit, they scored 8 goals in their series clincher against Colorado, and that kind of offensive skills makes for better hockey.
The final four teams are set in hockey. Pittsburgh took down the Rangers in game 5 setting up an all Pennsylvania Eastern Conference finals. Root like hell for the Penguins just for watchability's sake. The Flyers play a thuggish, boring style of hockey that slows the games down and generally succeeds in the playoffs. We need to break from the mold!
The Dallas Stars finally eliminated the San Jose Sharks last night in the 4th overtime, a game that ended well after 2 AM Eastern time. Needless to say I did not stay up to watch the end of it. Sadly, neither did Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabakov who had to be woken up after allowing the series-ended goal. Four of the six games went into overtime, and a fifth was also decided by one goal. Up next are the mighty Detroit Red Wings.
On a personal note, my three least favorite teams in the NHL are the Red Wings, the Stars, and the Flyers. It goes without saying that I'll be rooting for the Penguins here on out, but out west I would like to see Detroit prevail, not because they're a better matchup for "my" team but because, dammit, they scored 8 goals in their series clincher against Colorado, and that kind of offensive skills makes for better hockey.
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